M25 closure: Traffic misery expected as National Highways announces second full weekend closure
The M25 is to shut for a full weekend for the second time in history next month, as work on the £317m Junction 10 improvement scheme continues.
National Highways made the unprecedented move of closing the motorway between junctions 10 and 11 last month, to demolish a bridge and install a gantry, bringing chaos to nearby roads.
A separate, 10-mile stretch of the M25 is now due to shut from 9pm on Friday, May 10, until 6am on Monday, May 13, it was announced on Monday.
The motorway will be closed in both directions between junctions 9 (A243 Leatherhead) and 10 (A3 Wisley), to allow concrete beams for a gyratory bridge and a gantry to be lifted into place.
It will be the second of five full weekend closures of the M25 that take place this year, with a further three due between July and the end of the year. Last month’s five-mile closure left local Surrey roads near the closure “chock-a-block” with traffic.
The carriageway between junctions 9 and 11 carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per hour in each direction, between 10am and 9pm at weekends, said National Highways.
Up to 270,000 vehicles pass through the junction each weekday, making it one of the busiest stretches of road in the UK.
National Highways has urged drivers to only travel in the area “if absolutely necessary” on the weekend of May 10, warning of lengthy detours.
“This is far from a repeat of the previous closure, as the alternative routes are longer and will be different for over height vehicles and all other traffic,” said Jonathan Wade, National Highways Senior Project Manager.
“Drivers listened to our advice last time which reduced motorway traffic levels by over two thirds and meant delays were limited.
“Our advice again is please only travel if absolutely necessary and make sure you give yourself extra time if you do choose to use the M25.”
National Highways added: “Local residents, holidaymakers, concertgoers and sports fans should plan their journeys in advance and make sure they allow extra time or make alternative travel arrangements.”
The £317m works on the M25 form part of the Government’s £24bn Road Investment Strategy (RIS2).
The Junction 10 improvement scheme will see an increase in the number of lanes, and new junction layout in a bid to improve traffic flow and make it safer to enter and exit the M25.
It is due to open to traffic in summer 2025.
National Highways has not yet confirmed the dates of future closures, but said the third one will be announced as soon as possible after the upcoming works are completed.
Four diversionary routes will be in place between May 10 and 13, for different directions of travel and type of vehicle.
For more information about the project and the latest updates including the closures, visit the National Highways website.
Diversion routes
National Highways says the diversions, which will be signposted to drivers, are as follows:
Diversion route clockwise (from Gatwick towards Heathrow) for most traffic:
Leave the M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate). Follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston. After 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston. After 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston. Continue for 3 miles and turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10.
Diversion route clockwise (from Gatwick towards Heathrow) for over height vehicles (over 15’0 / 4.6m):
Leave the M25 at junction 9 A243 (Leatherhead). Follow A243 London, Hook, Chessington. After 6 miles, turn left onto the A309 Esher, Staines, (A3) Guildford, Portsmouth. After 1½ miles turn left to the A307 Esher, Guildford A3. After 4½ miles, in Cobham, turn right onto the A245 M25, Guildford A3, Weybridge, Woking. After ½ mile turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth Guildford. Continue for 1 mile and re-Join the motorway at J10.
Diversion route anticlockwise (from Heathrow towards Gatwick) for most traffic:
Leave the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 9½ miles at the Hook interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate. Continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate. Continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25. After 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.
Diversion route anticlockwise (from Heathrow towards Gatwick) for over height vehicles (over 15’0 / 4.6m):
Leave the M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 1 mile at the Painshill interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A245 Cobham (A307 Esher). After ½ mile turn left onto the A307 Esher. Continue for 4½ miles then turn right onto the A309 London, Sutton. Continue for a further 2 miles to the Hook interchange and turn right onto the A243 Dorking. After 6 miles, turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 9.
